The Labor Code (Law 65-99) is the cornerstone of Moroccan social legislation. This text of over 580 articles governs all relations between employers and employees in the private sector. It covers hiring conditions, working hours (set at 44 hours per week or 2,288 hours per year), paid leave (one and a half working days per month of service), termination conditions, and workplace safety standards. The Code also imposes strict obligations regarding employment contracts, including the requirement for a written agreement for fixed-term contracts and trial periods.
Beyond the Labor Code, several institutions and mechanisms complement the social protection system. The National Social Security Fund (CNSS) provides social coverage for private-sector employees: family allowances, daily sickness benefits, retirement pensions, and unemployment benefits (IPE). Mandatory Health Insurance (AMO), managed by the CNSS for the private sector, guarantees access to healthcare for employees and their dependents. Every employer is legally required to register employees with the CNSS from the first day of work, and failure to do so constitutes a criminal offense.
The labor inspectorate plays a fundamental role in monitoring the application of social legislation. Labor inspectors are authorized to enter businesses, verify records, and report violations. They also carry out a conciliation mission in individual labor disputes, a step often required before any legal action. Morocco has labor inspectors stationed across all prefectures and provinces of the Kingdom.
Collective bargaining agreements, although less widespread than in Europe, exist in certain sectors such as textiles, agribusiness, and banking. They may provide for more favorable terms than the Labor Code. Additionally, the minimum wage is set by decree: the SMIG (Guaranteed Minimum Interprofessional Wage) for industry, commerce, and liberal professions, and the SMAG (Guaranteed Minimum Agricultural Wage) for the agricultural sector. These minimums are regularly revised through social dialogue.
